Authentic Chocotorta Recipe: Easy to Make Argentina Birthday Cake

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This chocotorta Argentina cake is a true wonder and unbelievably easy. It’s a classic Argentina birthday cake layered with dulce de leche and then chilled in the refrigerator. This no-bake chocolate cake is one of the easiest traditional Argentina desserts you can make.

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What is Chocotorta Argentina Dessert?

Chocotorta Argentina Recipe by Authentic Food Quest
Luscious Argentina chocotorta cake

The chocotorta Argentina dessert is one of the most popular Argentina desserts that’s eaten at home and not at restaurants.

The preparation is somewhat similar to a classic tiramisu or a grandmother’s biscuit cake.

In Spanish, chocotorta literally translates to “chocolate cake.” It is a traditional Argentina dessert that is typically made for birthdays.  

No birthday celebration in Argentina is complete without a chocotorta or chocolate cake.

Combining traditional ingredients like dulce de leche with cream, coffee, and chocolate cookies, it is remarkably easy to make.

RELATED: Top 7 Most Authentic Desserts in Argentina

Discovering Chocotorta or Argentina Birthday Cake

Claire and Rosemary Buenos Aires Argentina for Chocotorta Recipe by Authentic Food Quest
Delighting in dulce de leche the main chocotorta ingredient in Buenos Aires

While in Argentina exploring the local food specialties, we shared an Airbnb with locals in Buenos Aires. 

One night, friends of our Airbnb hosts invited us to join them at a friend’s birthday party.

We were excited and looking forward to meeting other porteños (the name given to people from Buenos Aires). 

The theme for the birthday party was “Peruvian ceviche Since we were planning on traveling to Peru, we were eager to discover  Peruvian ceviche in advance.

At some point during the festivities, our friends disappeared into the kitchen to make the cake. 

Right before the party ended, they went back into the kitchen and emerged holding the chocotorta Argentina or chocolate cake. 

Both Claire and I were intrigued. I can still vividly remember looking at the cake and salivating while singing happy birthday. My first bite into the creamy dessert was sublime. 

Both Claire and I looked at each other and nodded in approval. We knew immediately we needed the Argentina chocotorta recipe.

This chocolate Argentina cake is not usually found on the dessert menus at restaurants. Argentinians eat it on a regular basis typically at family gatherings or birthday celebrations.

To try this traditional Argentina dessert, make it at home for friends and family. Put a spin on the next birthday celebration with this easy chocotorta Argentina cake.

The History of Argentina Chocotorta Cake

It’s rare when my previous advertising career and traditional recipes collide. While researching the origins of Argentina chocotorta recipe, I was thrilled to discover the inventor was an advertising executive.

In 1982, Marité Mabragaña, worked as a creative director at Ricardo de Luca, the largest Argentina advertising agency. Her clients at the time were a cream cheese company and a chocolate cookies company. 

As a mother who cooked her family, she had the idea of coming up with a recipe that combined the two brands. She made the cake for her children and agency executives and it was an immediate hit.

Her clients needed a little bit more convincing, but they eventually came around. Television advertisements were created and the chocotorta dessert became popular throughout the country.

The success of the chocotorta Argentina cake is in its simplicity. A chocolate cake that mixes a few ingredients together and does not require any baking.

So simple, this dessert is credited to bringing men and boys into the kitchen to make it. 

Nowadays, the chocotorta is the most Argentinian of cakes, present at almost every birthday party.

How to Make Argentine Chocotorta at Home

Chocotorta Argentina recipe ingredients by Authentic Food Quest
Simple ingredients for chocotorta Argentina cake

Done well, this simple chocotorta recipe can be transcendent. The key to a crowd-pleasing Argentina chocolate cake relies heavily on the quality of its ingredients.

Get the best quality dulce de leche you can get your hands on. Skip milk chocolate and garnish your cake using high-quality dark chocolate instead. Soak the cookies in freshly brewed quality coffee.

What is Dulce de Leche?

Dulce de Leche for Chocotorta recipe by AuthenticFoodQuest
Dulce de leche in Buenos Aires

Dulce de Leche is a heavenly sweet cream. It is a kind of sticky syrup or caramelized milk and sugar sauce.

In Argentina, it is considered a delicacy and sometimes referred to as the nation’s sweet. 

You will find variations of dulce de leche in other Latin American countries as well as France, Spain, and the United States.

Dulce de leche is used in many Argentinian desserts.

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST RECIPE: The Best Homemade Dulce de Leche in Argentina – Authentic Homemade Recipe

Argentina Chocolate Chocolina Cookies

Chocolina or Chocolate Cookies for Chocotorta Recipe by AuthenticFoodQuest
Chocolate cookies ready for soaking in coffee

Finding simple chocolate cookies for this recipe was surprisingly difficult. Most of the cookies at the grocery stores have some kind of filling. 

If you cannot find chocolate cookies at your local grocery store, order Chocolinas, the most popular brand of Argentinian chocolate cookies.

What does the Argentina Chocotorta Taste Like?

Layers of Chocotorta Argnetina cake by Authentic Food Quest
Layers of delicious chocotorta cake

The Chocotorta is a sensational dessert that always pleases. It is moist and soft and eaten by the spoonful. 

It is not extremely sweet but rather smooth and silky. The combination of the cream cheese and sour cream cut through the sweetness of the dulce de leche. 

The chocolate cookies soaked in coffee provide a wonderful mocha flavored contrast to the dark chocolate.

Argentine Chocotorta Recipe Tips

This simple Argentina chocotorta recipe is easy to make at home and can be adapted to your tastes.

You need only a few ingredients for this Argentina cake. However, do keep in mind, the better the quality of the chocotorta ingredients, the better the flavors.

What Should I Dip My Chocolate Cookies in? Milk, Coffee or Kahlua?

You’ll find several variations to the chocotorta ingredients, especially regarding what to dip the chocolate cookies in. Child-friendly versions typically use whole milk. 

Whereas, Kahlua liquor is a popular version for adult only chocotorta cakes.

Interestingly, the original chocotorta recipe dipped the chocolate cookies in port wine. 

How Should I Top My Chocotorta Cake?

For an elegant finish, you may top your chocotorta cake with a layer of melted chocolate. We recommend Valrhona dark chocolate (85%) a refined chocolate from the Rhône valley in France.

Or you can use any other high-quality dark chocolate for a silky and non-sweet finish.

How Long Can I Keep the Chocotorta in the Refrigerator?

If you happen to have any leftover chocotorta after your festivities, you keep it in the fridge. The chocotorta cake can keep up to 3 to 4 days in the fridge.

We found the flavors to actually get better after 2 days.

If you don’t think you’re not going to finish it in a week, you may consider freezing part of it. 

Can I make the Chocotorta Argentina Cake ahead of Time?

You can easily make the chocotorta recipe up to 2 days in advance allowing the flavors to soak in completely.  

Argentina Chocotorta Recipe Step by Step Instructions

Place the cream cheese in a bowl and mix thoroughly with a hand blender. Add in the dulce de leche and continue mixing until you get a light caramel color mixture. 

Add sour cream or creme fraiche and mix.  Taste as you mix until you get the desired level of sweetness.

Dip the chocolate cookies in freshly brewed coffee and then place them in a dessert tray.  While it’s optional,  lining the dish with parchment paper makes for less mess and easier cleanup.

Be sure not to dip the chocolate cookies for too long or they will crumble. Once you have the first layer done, spread on dulce de leche mixture and evenly with a spatula

Keep layering your cake until you end on the last layer of the dulce de leche mixture. 

For the final layer, melt a few squares of high-quality dark chocolate using the bain marie method. Once melted, spread a thin layer of the chocolate over the last dulce de leche layer.

Layers of Chocotorta Argnetina cake by Authentic Food Quest

Argentina Chocotorta Recipe

This classic chocotorta Argentina cake is unbelievably easy to make.  A no-bake, dulce de leche layered cake, this dessert is a guaranteed success.
4.48 from 38 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Recipes
Cuisine: Argentinian
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Rest Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 213kcal
Author: Authentic Food Quest

Ingredients 

  • 7 oz Dulce de Leche
  • 5.3 oz Cream Cheese remove from fridge and allow it to soften
  • 2 tbsp Creme fraiche or sour cream optional
  • 8 oz Chocolate Cookies depending on the size of your dish
  • 1 cup coffee freshly brewed
  • 1 oz Valrhona dark chocolate for garnishing
  • Parchment paper optional

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, combine the dulce de leche and cream cheese and beat until fluffy. Add creme fraiche or sour cream and continue mixing. It should be a light caramel color with no lumps. Taste to achieve the ratio you like. Reserve
  • Brew a cup of black coffee and pour it in a shallow dish. This is for dipping the chocolate cookies to make them moist. Make sure not to dip them for too long or they will get soggy and crumble.
  • Line your dessert baking dish with parchment and begin building the Argentina cake.
  • Submerge each chocolate cookie one by one in the coffee and line them across the parchment paper in the dessert baking dish. You may need to break up a couple of cookies to get the right geometrical shape to cover the entire surface.
  • Pour some of the dulce de leche mixture and spread evenly with a spatula. Arrange another layer of coffee-soaked cookies. And then, add another layer of the dulce de leche mixture.
  • Continue adding layers of chocolate cookies dipped in coffee followed by more dulce de leche mixture.
  • You should have at least four layers of cookies ending with a layer of dulce de leche.
  • For garnishing, melt a few squares of high-quality dark chocolate and pour on top of the last layer of dulce de leche.
  • After having made the recipe for the first time, we would now recommend delicately melting the chocolate. Instead of melting the chocolate over a stovetop, we recommend using the bain marie method for a smooth finish.
  • Once you have spread it out evenly, grate a few dark chocolate squares and sprinkle over the Argentina cake.
  • Cover with a plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least four hours. The longer the Argentina cake sits in the refrigerator, the better it gets.

Notes

  • You can substitute the coffee for milk especially if serving children. 
  • For an adult-only version, some recipes call for mixing Kahlúa with the coffee
  • To allow the flavors to settle, it’s important to refrigerate for at least 4 hours or even overnight.
  • Nutrition

    Serving: 1 | Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 225mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 274IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating or tag us on @authenticfoodquest

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    76 Comments on “Authentic Chocotorta Recipe: Easy to Make Argentina Birthday Cake”

    1. i will try the recipe on my son birthday and the ingredirnts are available easily and it make delicious thanks for the recipe

      Reply
    2. The combination of chocolate cookies, cream cheese, and dulce de leche is nothing short of genius. It’s like a symphony of flavors that harmonize into a dessert masterpiece. And the best part? No baking required! A true testament to the magic that happens when simple ingredients come together.

      Reply
    3. 5 stars
      Your step-by-step guide makes this Chocotorta recipe seem so approachable! I appreciate the authenticity you’ve brought to it. I’m definitely going to surprise my friends with this unique Argentina birthday cake. Cheers to you for sharing!

      Reply
    4. 5 stars
      Thank you for sharing this incredible Chocotorta recipe! Your step-by-step guide and the cultural background make it even more special. It’s wonderful to learn about traditional birthday treats from around the world.

      Reply
    5. 5 stars
      Made this last night after seeing it on Bloglovin recipes. It’s so yummy and easy to make. It reminded us a little of baked ziti.

      Reply
    6. Thank you for sharing the incredible recipe for Authentic Chocotorta. It’s a delightful Argentine dessert and so easy to prepare! Can’t wait to treat my taste buds with this chocolatey delight.

      Reply
    7. I’ve never heard of chocotorta before but I already know I’ll be making it for myself. It’s hard for me to resist any kind of chocolate cake, especially when it’s so easy to prepare!

      Reply
    8. I’ve never heard of chocotorta before but I already know I’ll be making it for myself. It’s hard for me to resist any kind of chocolate cake, especially when it’s so easy to prepare!

      Reply
    9. Just finished making this for an Argentinian themed dinner to celebrate Malbec Day tomorrow. It was ridiculously easy to make and I can’t wait to try it. I couldn’t resist dipping a cookie in the dulce de leche mixture. Yum!

      Reply
    10. I did not have any idea of simplicity becoming deliciousness until making this no-bake jewel. Frankly saying it, the “dulce de leche” combined with Nutella on top gave me goose spunks about an excess of sweetness. But following your recipe (plus some freedom of selection on my side) had my family and friends enjoying a perfect dessert while filling my ears with cheers. No doubts I will make it again and again and again! Thanks for your inspirational guidance!

      Reply
    11. At the very beginning I layered crumbs of Panettone that gave my cake a different texture and intriguing flavor for the small pieces of dry fruits on it. Then continued the recipe, but since no Chocolina were available, the use of separated extra thin Chocolate Oreo cookies made its part. to finish, I spread the Nutella on top and sprinkled it with chocolate powder. The result was super-delicious! A couple of photos here can show my wonderful choco-torta, but don’t know how to upload them in here!!!

      Reply
      • Thanks for sharing your photos, Marcos. What a wonderful way to get creative with this recipe. Sounds like it worked out perfectly. Appreciate your feedback and can’t wait for you to make it again 🙂 Cheers.

        Reply
    12. This looks amazing. I’ve never had anything like it before. I am definitely going to try this recipe out. I can’t wait to see how it tastes.

      Reply
    13. It looks like a delicious dessert! If I can find the ingredients, I’m going to try and make it for my daughter’s birthday in the fall.

      Reply
    14. I’ve never been to Argentina but would love to visit it someday! The cake looks incredibly delicious, I want to make it this weekend!

      Reply
    15. I had never heard of chocotorta before, but I am glad I found this. It’s so tasty and easy to make. The whole family loved it.

      Reply

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